Lee County Schools AIG and Advanced Learning

These 4th graders at Tramway Elementary have started their work in Math Stars, a unique math enrichment and problem solving program.

This year at Kaleidoscope and Periscope we accepted twelve high school students who previously participated in K&P to return to participate in a Student Leadership Academy where students learned leadership fundamentals with Mr. Crockett and then met with local school leaders in a panel discussion and one-on-one interviews to learn about their leadership journeys.

Then during camp, our high school student leaders assisted teachers and students with their classes, led student groups on our field trip, and learned skills like customer service, social media management, and event planning.

This experience for high school students essentially turns Kaleidoscope and Periscope into a fully grades 5-12 enrichment opportunity for students in our district, and we are so grateful to have such excellent student leaders serving as role models for our elementary and middle school students! Way to go Lydia, Rune, Dylan, Peyton, Sasha, Harley, Jazmine, Jesus, Alexa, Mekaela, Penny, and Ana!

At our Kaleidoscope and Periscope Closing Ceremony, we had the honor of recognizing one of the champions of AIG and Advanced Learning in Lee County Schools—Gail Puryear Smith. A longtime educator in our district, serving our advanced learners as a teacher assistant, classroom teacher, AIG Specialist, and AIG Coordinator until her retirement in 2022 (and since), Ms. Smith has improved the educations and lives of thousands of students and staff in our community. Nominated by a former student, Sara Zuluaga, and surrounded by past and present colleagues, Ms. Smith was presented with the 2026 Mary Hawley Oates Distinguished Service Award for her work to advance equity and excellence for the gifted and advanced learners of Lee County. Congratulations, Ms. Smith!

You can read more on page 10 of this year’s program here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12G82Hagy542YNLfU6acbtU0sasd0uL825NzcKKDuLWc/edit?usp=drivesdk

On the second leg of our Kaleidoscope and Periscope field trip students are meeting sting rays, flamingos, snapping turtles, and more at the Greensboro Science Center! The aquarium, zoo, and interactive science exhibits are allowing our students to learn about biology, ecology, and paleontology today! 🦈🦛🐢

Our Kaleidoscope and Periscope field trip is underway! Students are learning about the history of injustice and the fight for civil rights in the United States as they are being instructed by the amazing docents at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, which is the site of the Woolworth lunch counter from the Greensboro Four sit-in on February 1, 1960.

We are so proud of what our students have done over the past week!

Kaleidoscope and Periscope students in our Visual Arts class with Ms. Tiffany experimented with watercolors, Huichol yarn art, and Gyotaku, Japanese printmaking using fish! They also learned how to make their own paper, which is a thriving industry in North Carolina! These mixed-media focused projects allow our students to explore the ways water has influenced art over time and across cultures. 🎨🖌️👩‍🎨

Our Kaleidoscope and Periscope Culinary Arts class with Mrs. Downey is learning all about the role of water in cooking by making biscuits and eggs, the perfect southern breakfast. 🍳 They are learning skills such as making dough, baking it, and alongside skills like time management, and collaboration. 🤝